Encyclopedia Dubuque
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FLEXSTEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.: Difference between revisions
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In the 1960s Flexsteel began its vehicle seating division after securing a contract to manufacture seating for Winnebago Industries. Stock in Flexsteel was first publicly traded in 1969. In the early 1970s, a profitable contract was signed with the General Motors recreational vehicle unit. The company added more plants and hired additional employees to meet the growing demand for its products. | In the 1960s Flexsteel began its vehicle seating division after securing a contract to manufacture seating for Winnebago Industries. Stock in Flexsteel was first publicly traded in 1969. In the early 1970s, a profitable contract was signed with the General Motors recreational vehicle unit. The company added more plants and hired additional employees to meet the growing demand for its products. | ||
In July 1990, Flexsteel announced that Jack B. | In July 1990, Flexsteel announced that [[CRAHAN, Jack B.|Jack B. CRAHAN]], former vice chairman of the board and chief operating officer, would be the new chairman of the board and chief executive officer. Crahan replaced [[BERTSCH, Frank H.|Frank H. BERTSCH]] who had been chairman of the board from 1958 to 1985. K. Bruce Lauritsen, former executive vice-president of sales and president of the company since 1985, was named the chief operating officer, and James R. Richardson, vice-president of marketing, was named to a new position on the board. | ||
The 21st century with a declining national economy had a great effect on the company. With less customer demand, Flexsteel had to reduce its local workforce bringing an end to the assembly line production of upholstered furniture at the Dubuque plant. | The 21st century with a declining national economy had a great effect on the company. With less customer demand, Flexsteel had to reduce its local workforce bringing an end to the assembly line production of upholstered furniture at the Dubuque plant. | ||
Revision as of 16:38, 25 November 2015
FLEXSTEEL INDUSTRIES, INC. Major manufacturer and supplier of home, vehicle, and commercial seating. Plant locations in 1991 included Dubuque, Iowa; Dublin, Georgia; Lancaster, Pennsylvania; Riverside, California; New Paris, Indiana; Evansville, Indiana; Harrison, Arkansas; Sweetwater, Tennessee; Starkville, Mississippi; and Vancouver, Washington. Executive offices of the corporation were maintained in Dubuque.
Flexsteel's industrial history began with The Grau-Curtis Company, a furniture manufacturer started in Minneapolis, Minnesota by Frank BERTSCH. In 1936 the company under the leadership of Herbert T. BERTSCH moved to Dubuque into the former buildings used by the Brunswick Victorola Company. Flexsteel was one of the first companies to produce on a conveyor production line. Realizing that low priced furniture was produced by many businesses in the industry, the company chose to use the Flexsteel spring in a more expensive but better product.
In the 1960s Flexsteel began its vehicle seating division after securing a contract to manufacture seating for Winnebago Industries. Stock in Flexsteel was first publicly traded in 1969. In the early 1970s, a profitable contract was signed with the General Motors recreational vehicle unit. The company added more plants and hired additional employees to meet the growing demand for its products.
In July 1990, Flexsteel announced that Jack B. CRAHAN, former vice chairman of the board and chief operating officer, would be the new chairman of the board and chief executive officer. Crahan replaced Frank H. BERTSCH who had been chairman of the board from 1958 to 1985. K. Bruce Lauritsen, former executive vice-president of sales and president of the company since 1985, was named the chief operating officer, and James R. Richardson, vice-president of marketing, was named to a new position on the board.
The 21st century with a declining national economy had a great effect on the company. With less customer demand, Flexsteel had to reduce its local workforce bringing an end to the assembly line production of upholstered furniture at the Dubuque plant.
The 1962 through 2014 Dubuque City Directory listed 3400 Jackson.